Don’t be reluctant to talk with your family about the possibility of a hurricane, fire, tornado or flood. Thought and action before the disaster hits usually helps family members react wisely. Families that work together to prepare for the problem will cope better than those who do not take precautions.

Many people assume that floods, storms, hurricanes and other disasters happen to someone else, and many people postpone taking care of family papers. This factsheet helps you to determine what papers you should worry about protecting.

During and right after a disaster, any household item that can move, fall, break, or cause a fire becomes a home hazard. To minimize possible danger, inspect your home now to find and correct potential hazards.

What is a coalition and how can It help? A disaster recovery coalition is an organization of concerned citizens that advocates for services, policies and programs to accomplish specific goals that impact disaster recovery and prevention. A coalition monitors, analyzes and mobilizes community efforts. A local coalition may assume several roles.